ARC Review: VOW by Bethany-Kris

They say it’s always the one you least expect …

Andino Marcello made his choices—the right ones for duty and famiglia. But even the right choices have consequences. He’s never been more aware of that fact than he is now. The thing is, Andino isn’t the same man he once was. The mafia wants what it wants. He’ll push until they all break. Even her.

They say love shouldn’t hurt …

Haven Murphy needs to move on—from her pain and the man who caused it. But the faster she tries to run, the more things stay the same. She never thought it would end like this for them. The thing is, Haven isn’t the same woman she once was. The heart wants what it wants. She’ll fight until it all lets go. Even him.

How far will he go for love?
All the way to the very bitter end.
That’s his vow.

|

★★★★★

All Andino wants is a life with Haven. However, his life, his duty, and his family expect certain things from him - things that exclude the possibility of forever with her. If you know anything about Andino, you'll know that he is the only dictator in his life that matters. What he wants, he gets... by any means necessary. Nothing was going to stop him and neither the boss nor a possible war would stand in his way.

I loved how masterful and manipulative Andino was. He knew what he wanted, he knew how to achieve his goals, and he set his plans in motion. For the most part, we the reader and most of the characters had no clue what he was up to and it was like unfolding a little bit of mystery along the way. The forbidden element of his relationship with Haven, and the time constraints he faced in proving himself to her, made this story one hot as heck read. Despite the pain and anguish they both faced, I held onto the knowledge that they would get their happy ending.

Andino would do this all over again. He'd lie, and hurt, and ruin everything for everyone if it meant this moment right here was the same.

If you're anything like me, you've tried to get your hands on as many stories by Bethany-Kris as possible. If so, you'll know exactly what happens with Andino and Haven. And yet, this story has continued to surprise me at every turn. Sometimes it's not the end of the journey that counts, but the road taken to get there.